Bret Hart Criticizes Modern Wrestling, Calls AEW Wrestlers “Actors” – WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has never been one to hold back his opinions on the wrestling industry, and his latest comments continue that trend. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hart shared his thoughts on today’s wrestling landscape and why he finds much of it lacking compared to previous eras.
Hart admitted that while he tries to keep up with WWE pay-per-views, he struggles to connect with modern wrestling.
“I try to. I try to watch the pay-per-views. I find, in a lot of wrestlers, and I won’t name anybody, but I find the wrestlers are more actors pretending to be wrestlers today than actual wrestlers. I miss the ruggedness of the characters. Guys like Curt Hennig, myself, Dynamite Kid. That whole era of wrestlers that broke into the business in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. We were from the Harley Race, Terry Funk generation, trying to copy them or mimic them. That’s why I think the ‘90s was the best era of wrestling.”
Hart pointed out that wrestling today is more focused on promos and character work rather than in-ring ability, something he feels takes away from the sport’s authenticity.
“I find that today’s wrestling is a little bit more about promos and your character on TV and not so much your work rate. I like guys that throwback a little bit more to the work rate.”
One current star Hart singled out for praise is Roman Reigns, whom he believes works hard to maintain credibility.
“Roman Reigns is a guy that tries really hard to earn the respect of my generation and be more realistic and more credible and believable, not so much an actor.”
However, Hart was particularly critical of AEW, stating that he sees its wrestlers as more performers than true wrestlers.
“I find that, especially AEW, I find they are mostly actors trying to pretend to be wrestlers, and they gotta get on with real wrestling and quit acting so much.”
Hart’s comments are sure to spark debate among fans, especially as AEW continues to establish itself as WWE’s biggest competitor.
Bret Hart Criticizes Modern Wrestling, Calls AEW Wrestlers “Actors”
